There's HOpe in aHOmiro!

Did you notice how the games yesterday were very similar to the quarterfinals game last May 05? It's just that this time, the results were reversed. In the May 05 game, UST defeated AdU in 5 sets and ADMU lost to NU in 3 sets. Yesterday, AdU defeated UST in 5 sets and NU lost to ADMU in 3 sets.

So what brought up the reversal of fortunes?

In the UST vs. AdU game, I think it was the confidence and strength the Falcons have developed in battling with NU for the finals seat. The Adamson girls have mastered the art of staying composed and focused no matter what the score is. UST and AdU are just very well matched. I'm expecting another five-setter next Sunday with no idea who will win.

As for the second game, it was a HUGE surprise. Although everyone expected the Lady Eagles to give a better fight due to the addition of Jeng Bualee, I think very few expected a 3-set win for the Katipunan-based squad. In fact, many were guessing that NU will win again but in more than three sets. Well, it did not happen.

What made the 3-set win possible for the Eagles?

1. Confidence. This word spelled a world of difference for the two teams. Ateneo coming from a sweep of the Lady Tigresses in the semis and with Bualee on their side, played coolly. They were able to minimize their errors, come up with good receptions, performed better serves and were able to execute their attacks well. NU on the other hand played like they were unsure of themselves. Was it the crowd of Ateneo fans? Was it the pressure to get their first championship title? Whatever it was, they need to overcome that in game 2.

2. Bualee. Of course, everyone expected her to deliver yesterday and boy, she did! She's like the missing piece in the Ateneo puzzle. She added those powerful and well-thought of middle and running attacks that the Lady eagles needed against NU, a team that has very strong middle players.

3. Surprise! Ahomiro! This has got to be her best game yet. She scored a total of 6 points (4-attacks, 1-block, 1-ace). Now six points might not seem too much but how awesome she played defensively made her the Player of the Game. Gorayeb has been training his reserve players hard defensively and it showed. Plus, the fact that NU prepared for Valdez instead of Ahomiro created an impact on the Bulldogs' defense. They pretty much were clueless on how Ahomiro played since she's not really being used in big games.

Honestly as an Ateneo fan, I felt so good when I heard about how well Ahomiro played. Maybe there's hope for Ateneo in Season 76. Yeah!

Back to the game, I guess NU has to be prepared for anything in the second game of the Finals. They never know what the well-experienced Gorayeb might come up with. The Ateneo bench just seems so much deeper now. Gorayeb can pull out a surprise weapon or two. Plus, the Lady Bulldogs have to gain back that confidence and swag they had when they were in the quarterfinals. They had more individual awardees. They even got the MVP title. They have everything they need. They just need to use it properly.

I can't wait for Sunday's game. More surprises please!

Top 10 Most Important Players in Season 76 (May Forecast)

First, let me explain what this list is about. This is not the same as the MVP title. In selecting the Most Important Player, I considered the player's impact on her team (how much of a loss she will be to the team if she doesn't play), her impact to the league (how much she'll affect the team rankings) and how well she plays her role in the team. Sounds vague? Well, let's just get on with the list. 

1. Dindin Santiago - Okay. I see some eyebrows rising now. Well, if you need proof, checkout the individual statistics in the Shakey's V-league. This girl is rocking it in almost all aspects. She is still the most lethal middle attacker. Aside from that, she has also improved her blocking and service. All she needs to do is improve her floor defense and she'll be a shoo-in for MVP. But why is she number one in our MIP list? Imagine NU without her. Imagine NU's ranking without her. Exactly.

2. Alyssa Valdez - She is Dindin's top competitor for the MIP spot. I'm still unsure what role she'll be playing in UAAP 76 but she might become Team Captain and be converted to middle hitter. This young girl is also doing well in the service area , scoring aces every now and then. What she needs to improve on now is her blocking and floor defense. Again, why MIP? Well, she's not just a part of the ADMU Lady Eagles team. She IS the team. It's Alyssa De Manila University folks. Without her, ADMU might be joining FEU, UP and UE in the lower half of the UAAP rankings. 

  

3. Abigail Maraño - Two-time MVP? She's the queen! Aby won't be awarded MVP twice for no reason. She is an all-around player. From floor defense to blocking to attacks, she is very reliable. But why only third? Well, as I have said, we also consider her effect on her team. Even without her, DLSU will still have a great performance in the UAAP. Yes, she's an amazing captain but her team is really such a well-oiled machine that can function well even without her.

4. Ara Galang - Aby's co-MVP in Season 75 will also play a huge role in Season 76. Without Michelle Gumabao, Galang will have to up her performance. Like Aby, she's also an all-around player specializing in attacks and service. She will have to improve on her blocking skill though. Gumabao is one of the league's best blocker and DLSU's defense will be affected if no one steps up to her level in the blocking department.

5. Mika Reyes - This popular player is on her way to becoming the Face of Season 76. But don't let her cute, innocent smile fool you, she can score points in the middle in the blink of an eye. Her quick, smart middle hits have been important in keeping the UAAP crown from the Lady eagles. Plus, her blocking skill is also an essential part of the DLSU Block Party. She will be instrumental in controlling the Santiago sisters.

6. Myla Pablo - This girl has been a revelation in the UAAP Season 75. I don't know why but when she attacks, there's a very high probability that the ball won't come back. Is it the angle? Is it the power? Is it the timing? Well, whatever it is, it will make Myla one of the most powerful attackers in 76. She's been UAAP75's Best Attacker and will also win the same award in this year's V-League. She also needs to improve on her floor defense and blocking. Together with the Santiago sisters, they form the deadly NU trio.

7. Jaja Santiago - A rookie in the top ten right away? Why not? Her height is such a big factor in the UAAP 76 games. She will be uncontrollable in attacks and blocking if she gets her game on soon enough. She is already playing well in the Shakey's V-league. In fact, Mika Reyes should already be training harder because she's no longer the most intimidating middle. Jaja can easily win a joust over her. Plus, her choice to study in NU just cemented NU's drive for the finals.

8. Mylene Paat - Who? I'm sure many of you were surprised to see her name here. But if you've been watching the V-league games especially Adamson against National, you'll know why this girl deserves to be included here. With Pau's graduation, Adamson is in dire need of a tall middle who can block as good as Pau. And they got it. Although a newbie to the league, Paat was in a close fight with Ortiz for the Best Blocker award. Plus, she has several months to prepare for S76. AdU will be almost powerless against the taller teams like NU if Paat did not join them.

9. Carmela Tunay - She is UST's strongest spiker based on their V-league performance. In fact, in some of their games, she has been UST's best scorer. Although she's been put in hot water because of her service errors in crucial games, Tunay is still the strongest girl in the UST squad. Without her, they'll be much less powerful. But she has to contribute more for the team than just those open spikes. She could improve her blocking for instance. And yes, her service.

10. Bang Pineda - This girl may not be the tallest spiker but she is able to get her balls across and they seldom come back. Her floor defense is also commendable. She is capable of neutralizing UST's Tunay, NU's Pablo, ADMU's other spikers other than Valdez, and DLSU's other hitters other than Galang. And I know it's not related to the topic but I really admire her for being proud of her sexuality and her partner. Cheers!

So yeah, that's it. But this is just for May. Changes will be made based on their performances and also on your comments so comment away! :D

The Curious Case of Mae Tajima

Honestly, like most Ateneo fans, I have been hoping since day one that someday , Mae Tajima will play a break out game and knock the hell out of all of us. But she's been with the Ateneo Lady Eagles for three years and she's still playing like a newbie. Maybe she'll play well in her fifth year?

I think Tajima has been given enough time to train and muscle up. She has been given enough chance to practice and develop her volleyball talent, if she really has any (I hope she does).

I hate to compare but in last Sunday's game, many fans noticed how active Jaja Santiago was. Even with that height. Even if she was not playing, she was always doing something, stretching, jumping, warming up. You can see the passion, the hunger to play a great game, the urge to help the team win. That's something that I've never seen in Tajima.

Although she scores points now and then, she lacks that fire that even newcomers like Tejada and Urdas already possess. That makes me wonder, does she really want to play? Does she really like the sport? Does she even care about her team? All right. The last one was mean, sorry.

This will sound harsh but it's been three years. If you can't learn to spike and block for three long years of playing with one of the country's strongest collegiate team, I don't know what you need to improve anymore.  Ateneo is in the brink of a fallout! I hope this never happens, but what if Valdez gets injured? Will Ateneo just settle for a 4th, 5th, 6th place after all those years of working hard to get to the finals? Adamson already has Paat. NU has Jaja. DLSU has Reyes. ADMU needs Tajima!

(Patnongon is there but well, I think she deserves her own blog post.)

So yeah, what is it with Tajima? Can somebody please reassure us Ateneo fans that she is training hard and is really working like crazy to be a strong weapon for the team? I know that nobody wants to be weak. That she most likely wants to play better too. But..

I guess what I'm saying is that, with the loss of the Fab Five, ADMU has officially become Alyssa De Manila University. And she can't do it alone. Tajima, a player gifted with height and a pretty face has to step up and do it fast. Not just for the fans, not just for the team but also for herself. She has become the victim of sarcastic tweets and FB posts of both ADMU fans and haters. Even the V-league commentators are being mean to her (I'm talking to you Sev, stop it!).

Please Tajima, if you're not doing it yet, please train harder. Please exert more effort. Please prove your worth. Do whatever it takes if you really want it. But if you continue to play lightly without plans of getting better, please bow out of the team and give your slot to some more deserving players out there. Just saying. Hundreds of girls all over the country would kill to get your spot in the Ateneo squad. Show them you deserve it.

(Disclaimer: This is not a hate post. I like Tajima just like everybody else. But I hope this reaches her. I feel so great when she scores, I just wanna see it more often. Peace out.)

The Jaja Phenomenon and How Other Teams Will Adjust

So now that Jaja Santiago has confirmed that she's playing with NU in Season 76, the question is, how will the other teams handle this 6-feet 4-inches middle spiker/blocker?

As I have said in a previous post, this girl will make a huge impact in the next season of UAAP volleyball. The Rookie of the Year award is just waiting for her. We saw how active she is on the court and how hard she trains. She doesn't sit still when benched. Instead, she continues warming up doing jogs and jumps in the corner.

So how will the other teams control this one hell of a middle attacker/blocker?

DLSU - Mika Reyes. I think Mika Reyes has finally found her match in Jaja Santiago. Jaja is not only taller than Mika, she is also a more powerful spiker. Mika's experience and confidence will surely be an asset but if Jaja will keep on improving her timing and court sense, NU will give DLSU a run for their money.

ADMU - Hmm. This is quite interesting. Tajima and Patnongon will be the weapon of choice for Coach Gorayeb as the two are not that far from Jaja when it comes to height. But the two ADMU giants will have to train very hard. They have to move faster and come up with better attacks and blocks in order to neutralize Jaja. If Tajima and Patnongon will not be developed, ADMU will have to settle for the bronze next season. There's no way they can get into the finals without a strong middle. Will Valdez be enough? Not really. 

AdU - Mylene Paat! Wow. This girl is surely a force to reckon with next season. She has the makings of a taller Pau Soriano. She already shows some good blocking and middle attacks in their V-league games. Plus, at 6 feet, she's not too small for Jaja. If Paat will be quicker and more powerful, Adamson will have little problem in controlling Jaja.

UST - I'm quite unsure about this but Jessey De Leon maybe? However, I haven't seen UST play against NU so I have no idea how they will adjust to Jaja. But De Leon is their best bet. She's not that tall but she's fast and has great timing. Maybe if Cortel and Hirotsuji will be developed, UST will have more chances of neutralizing Jaja next season.

Season 76 will not start until December so until then, we really don't know what will happen. What I know for sure is that, it will be one of the best Seasons of UAAP volleyball. Comments?

NU vs. ADMU Individual Match-up

@VolleyballDonya posted this list on Facebook. Here's the match-up and who we think will prevail (*):

Rachel Anne Daquis* vs. Myla Pablo
Fille Cainglet* vs. Mina Aganon
Jeng Bualee* vs. Dindin Santiago*
Marge Tejada vs. Jaja Santiago*
Alyssa Valdez* vs. Aiko Urdas
Jem Ferrer vs. Rubie De Leon*
Dennise Lazaro vs. Jen Reyes*

So it's pretty much a good fight. Daquis and Pablo are quite close. Daquis has more experience but Pablo has higher percentage. Cainglet's experience and floor defense beats Aganon's raw power. Bualee and Santiago are perfectly matched, I think. Tejada is of course, no match for the much taller Jaja Santiago. Lalamunin siya nang buhay ni Jaja. Valdez will rule over Urdas for sure although Urdas is no weak ooponent. Ferrer and De Leon are also at par with each other although De Leon is way more experienced than Ferrer. Reyes is also better than Lazaro but when Denden plays a good game, and supported by Cainglet, she can match Reyes' famed floor defense.

What do you think? *Sana Thursday na!

Good News: NU goes to the finals for the first time. Bad News: They will face ABCD(Alyssa, Bualee, Cainglet, Daquis)!

Even with crowd favorite Pau Soriano delivering for the Lady Falcons, NU still triumphed in the 4-setter match held a while ago at the San Juan Arena. NU won 24-26, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22.

So it's final. It will be the Eagles versus Bulldogs for the Gold and Falcons versus Tigers for the Bronze.

Of course everybody knows that NU Bulldogs took one big bite on the Lady Eagles in their quarterfinal meeting. Ateneo fans would be really worried to see them getting into the Finals and threatening the Eagles again. But that was before Thai import Jeng Bualee entered the scene. Now, it's a whole new game. Bualee will fill in the Middle Blocker/Attacker position which is Ateneo's weak point. Hmm, interesting indeed.

For the bronze it will be a series of five setters as two really resilient teams fight it out. UST defeated AdU in their quarterfinal meeting in 5 sets. But judging on how UST played against ADMU and on how AdU fought against NU, I'd say it won't be an easy win for UST. The Adamson team has grown so much stronger with the addition of Benting and Paat. Paat, although a newbie in the V-league, is showing a lot of promise. UST won't go down without a fight though. They still have Maizo, Dimaculangan, and Ortiz.

Who's your bet for the Gold?
	ADMU
	NU
pollcode.com free polls

How about for the Bronze?
	AdU
	UST
pollcode.com free polls

Bakit andaming galit sa NU?

First let me just share this quote:

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

I think this perfectly describes what's happening to the NU Lady Bulldogs right now. At first, no one really cared about them and they had no popular player except maybe for Cai Nepomuceno.

Then came UAAP Season 75 and the once quiet and literal underdogs became fearsome Bulldogs who instigated major changes in the usual UAAP volleyball rankings. They became a threat to the Big FOUR: DLSU, ADMU, UST and ADU. They finished the season with an amazing Fourth place finish knocking out crowd-favorite UST and 3 of their players getting 4 individual awards: Jen Reyes as Best Digger and Best Receiver, Aiko Urdas as Rookie of the Year and Myla pablo as Best attacker.

So why is there a lot of hate against them? Three factors.

First, Dindin Santiago. This powerful attacker was "stolen" from the UST Tigresses. I'm sure there are a dozen better words for what happened but that's how I see it (sorry). Many UST fans were not happy with Dindin's transfer and more were annoyed when she lead the Bulldogs' in kicking UST out of the Final Four. 

Second, Myla Pablo. I'm not sure why she already has so many haters. In fact, in our poll entitled "Who is the MOST HATED player of all", she came in second after Fille Cainglet with 23% of votes. Her twitter account is even protected due to her many haters. I think this all started on their first game against ADMU in the UAAP 75. Many Ateneo fans were not amused at how this newcomer Pablo was staring down at their idols. In their second meeting, she played a bad game which many people thought was due to her detractors. Until now, many fans are picking on her. She even has a trademark word now, "spikeng".

Third, they turned from nobodies into championship contenders in an instant! Nobody hates the ones at the bottom, in fact I don't think I've seen any hate tweets about UP or UE. And NU will not have a problem with these haters if they continued playing badly and stayed at the bottom. But if you want greatness, you have to put up with the hate. Top teams like DLSU and ADMU get hate tweets ALL THE TIME.

And as for today's fight against Adamson, I fear that the Lady Bulldogs will again get bullied by the crowd. For some reason, ADMU and UST fans have chosen to support the Lady Falcons in their fight against NU. Maybe because they seem to be the underdogs compared to the formidable NU squad with their 2 giants. Well, I admit I am in love with Pau Soriano and how she leads her team to sweet victories. And when I watch the game later, I will cheer for her. However, I will also cheer for these Bulldogs. They deserve it. Dindin Santiago is obviously giving her everything in every game. Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas and Aganon also deserve praise for how excellently thay have been playing. Jen Reyes will deliver with or without cheers of course. I hope to see Cai Nepomuceno play later. So calling on NU fans, come cheer the girls later! Show some love!

The bottomline is, there really is no good reason to hate these girls. Maybe there are times when Pablo or Santiago become too "maangas" or "mayabang" on the court but I think, well, I hope that they are not like that in real life.  (update: @VolleyballDonya says @iamMylaPablo is genuinely nice off the court.) Comments?